Tears

A friend from high school went into labor on Saturday. After 40 weeks of growing a baby and 23 tough hours of labor, she delivered a baby boy who's heart stopped beating just minutes after delivery. The doctors were not able to revive him.

My heart broke when I heard the news last night. Though she and her husband live far away from me, I had been attentively following the progress of her pregnancy through the wonders of the internet.

How do you express the grief and devastation you feel for someone when you're so far away?

I struggled in sending her a message to convey my condolences, because, how do you tell someone whom you rarely talk to that you grieve for them? That you would wish away their pain? That though you yourself have never felt such a grievous loss, you are crying for them?

I don't know how to talk to her about it and I probably won't because by the time I might see her, it will be months from now. And then how would I bring it up?

As I think about this tragedy, I contemplate my future in medicine. I know that someday, one day, not too far in the future, I will be the doctor giving the news of a loved one's death. I don't think I will ever be able to do so without crying.

Last month, I stood by as my attending physician broke the news to family after family. Working in an ICU, this is an incredibly common occurance. I teared up each time.

It will be worse in Pediatrics. Far worse. And when I think of it, I dread having children of my own, to spare myself the potential heartache. Because no matter what stage you lose a child in, you have lost a child and a parent should never have to bury their child.

But we can't think like this. If we thought this way with everything, would we ever truly live?

We have to take those chances in life in order to experience life.

We have to push past the doubts that plague every decision and live. We have to live.

Men Who Primp

Today, I am sick. I have been committed to my couch since 10:30 this morning, only getting up to use the bathroom. I'll admit, I do feel better than yesterday.... Yesterday was just...ugh! Not only was I developing a URI (upper respiratory tract infection), I had some form of GI bug, and i was feeling the beginnings of a migraine. Thus, when my orientation at 8am ended very shortly thereafter, it was easy to see that a Project Runway marathon with frequent naps interspersed was in order.

All that being said, I did have something to write about today. I have, unfortunately for you, mustered up enough energy between the hacking and post-migraine eyes to type this out. Yay!

Today on Today (haha!) Jenna Bush Hager addressed the common conundrum of men who primp.

If I were to be more specific, her piece is really about the metrosexual male and what it means not only for our culture but the industry in general. I thought it was really interesting as I am a big advocate for men dressing well.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean suits and tuxedos for everyday wear, but I do mean choosing appropriate clothes for your body type and dressing up just slightly from what the occasion calls for.

How can you not think this guy looks great?

Though I do not have an S.O. that needs dressing up, I often find myself perusing websites like The Sartorialist and TheBerry's 'Stuff I Wish My Boyfriend Would Wear' thinking to myself, "Wow! I would love to find a straight guy who dresses like this!"

I do believe that getting a guy to 'dress-up' can stem from early influences, which is why I encourage all you moms/future-moms to dress up your boys. I know, I know, they're just going to get it dirty, but if you can get your little guy to put on a sweater vest with his jeans, you are doing him a favor! Truly!

Hello!!!! Adorable!!!

I love when I see little boys all dressed up. And I know the mom's out there work hard to make their boys look good. If you need inspiration or a place to buy or just want to 'ooh' and 'ahh', look at The Little Gentleman's Closet on Etsy

I understand that this may be quite difficult if your S.O. is the couch-surfing, holey-sweatpants-rocking, t-shirt-from-highschool-wearing type. But, I do believe with a little encouragement, every man could be persuaded to dress this way. In fact, if you shop with him and find dress clothes that are also comfortable (meaning they fit him well and are made of fabric that will breathe and move with him), your job will be much simpler.

My utmost thanks to all who heed my plea! I encourage all the male readers I don't have to continue to dress up. Find clothes that fit you well and make you feel good. Don't feel weird dressing up slightly more than the occasion calls for. And have fun with it! Hats and scarves are wonderful accessories!